Opinions

Africa is living in a bubble of deception, equating infrastructure development with civilisation. There are airports and roads and developments taking place everywhere and this is good. Without a concerted movement towards civilisation-based thinking, the Africa rising dream will continue to be that—a dream. I was at a meeting recently…

To achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, donors must reconsider their approach and commit to delivering aid in a way that prioritizes alleviating poverty The first thing apparent in the latest Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s Development Assistance Committee’s figures was that for the second year in a row, global aid levels have decreased.…

There are plenty of proud male feminists, but to make equality a reality we need to draw more into the conversation   Men have always played critical roles in the women’s movement. From John Stuart Mill to Fredrick Douglass, male allies have long supported the struggle for gender equality. And…

“A single bracelet does not jingle” – this African proverb contextualises the key ingredients of inclusive wealth creation that Africa urgently needs – which is that wealth cannot be created through one or few sectors, but by convening complementary strengths across multiple sectors and disciplinary backgrounds towards maximising the productivity…

 “The most beautiful fig may contain a worm” – this African proverb calls us to question what we have always believed to be good. From the savannas of southern Africa; to the mountains of East Africa; to the forests of central Africa; to the coastlines of West Africa and the…

The term ‘Islamic Social Finance’ refers to modes of finance that are rooted in Islamic ethics and intended for social benefit. These include Zakat (almsgiving), Waqf (endowments), Sadaqa (charity) as well as Qard Hasan (interest-free loans). When one defines ‘Islamic finance’, it is vitally important that Islamic social finance be…

“The ruin of a nation begins in the homes of its people”, this African proverb speaks of the power of a people to make or break themselves, their countries and the globe. And so, it is with Africa. The success or failure of Africa rests squarely on the shoulders of…

According to the Global Risks Report of the Word Economic Forum 2018, water crises are among the five crises that will have the largest impact in the next decade. There are currently 4 billion people living under conditions of severe water scarcity for at least one month per year.  …

Climate Change is undeniable, the science is beyond doubt; it is time to get off the path of suicidal emissions. All of us – governments, businesses, and citizens – will have to make amends. In other terms, we will have to be the change we desire.  This is mandatory for…

“On World Environment Day, the message is simple: reject the single-use plastic. Refuse what you can`t reuse. Together, we can chart a path to a cleaner, greener world” – UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres.   As the world’s population continues to grow, the amount of waste and garbage being produced…